Gas-engine starter.



C. C. WEDGE.

GAS ENGINE STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10. 1915.

1,157,829. Patented 001:. 26, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH 1:0..WA5HINOTON, n. c.

C. C. WEDGE.

GAS ENGINE STARTER. APPLICATION FILED APR. I0. 1915- 1,15"7,29. Patented Oct. 26, 1915.

I r 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0-.wAsHlNu'roN, D. c.

lilh

CLARENCE G. WEDGEOF GHARDON, OHIO.

GAS-ENGINE STARTER.

Application filed. April 10, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE C. Wnnon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chardon, in the county of Greauga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Engine Starters, of which the following is a speci fication.

This invention relates to mechanism for imparting the initiative impulse to internal combustion engine pistons, commonly known as cranking, and it has for its objects the provision of mechanism that is simple and durable in construction, economical to install and keep in operative condition and that is highly efficient and reliable in its operation. o

The present invention provides for the cranking of the engine through the medium of the cooperation of certain gears, levers, ratchets and pawls, actuated by conveniently arranged foot or hand levers. It also provides for the emergency of back fire of the engine during the cranking operation, by automatically throwing the operative members out ofengagement.

With the above mentioned and other apparent'objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the specification and pointed out definitely in the claims.

The improvement is applicable to gas engines in general, but as it is particularly adaptable to automobile engines it will be described as connected with an automobile engine. It will be understood that the embodiment of the invention as herein specified and illustrated in the accompanying drawings is merely an exemplification of a lucid construction and operation of mechanism that carries out the principles and objects of the invention, but in the reduction to practice there may be various modifications in details of construction of the several elements, their relative position and the method of operation. These changes however oan be made without departing from the nature of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 illustrates the improved mechanism in its normal position and as it. would appear viewed from the front of an automobile. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a like section on line 3--3, Fig. 1, and Fig. 4; a

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented @ct. 26, filiiil'i.

Serial No. 20,440.

transverse section on line le-6t Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the forward portion of an automobile equipped with the improved starter. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the relative position of the parts as assumed in case of back-fire of the engine. 1

Throughout the drawings and specification similar characters of reference are used to designate similar parts.

Referring to the drawings 1 represents a frame. or housing, which as illustrated is adapted to be located in front of the engine, over and at right angles to the crankshaft. Hinged to the frame 1 at 2 is an arm 3. Journaled in the arm 3 is a stub shaft 4, and keyed or otherwise made fast to the shaft 4 on opposite sides of the arm 3 are a ratchet wheel and a spur gear 6. Loosely mounted on the shaft 4 between the ratchet wheel 5 and the arm 3 is a lever 7. The lever 7 carries a pawl 8, adapted to engage the teeth of .the ratchet 5. The lever 7 is connected with a crank 9 by a link 10. The crank 9, is operated by a pinion 11 in mesh with a gear 12, the said gear being actuated in. the manner presently explained. It will be seen that the movement of the crank 9 will impart a revolutionary movement to the gear 6 through-the cooperation of the link 10, lever 7 and pawl 8 in engagement with the teeth of they ratchet 5.

An idler gear 13, loosely mounted on a jack-shaft 14, is normally in mesh with the gear 6 and is adapted to be thrown into and out of mesh with a gear 15. The gear 15 is the crank-shaft actuating gear and may be attached directly to the crank-shaft or on a counter-shaft operatively connected with the engine crankshaft. As the operative connection between the gear 15 and the engine crank-shaft depends. on the design of the engine and its relative location, and as it is'a matter of common practice to make this connection to suit the conditions, the description of the construction and operation of the present invention will be limited to its connection with the gear 15, which as before stated is the engine crank-shaft actuating gear.

' Tnthe mechanism illustrated the gear 12 and the pinion 11 have a two-to-one ratio, the same ratio is maintained between the gears 6 and 13, and between the operative arc of the crank 9 and the lever 7; therefore .a 90 movement of the gear 12 will. impart a 180 movement to the crank 9, which through the connection of the. link -10 gives a 90 movement to the lever 7, this in turn through the pawl and ratchet action imparts a 90 movement to the gear (3, resulting in a one-half revolution of the gear 13.

It will be understood that the system of levers and other actuating devices as shown 1n the annexed drawings are arranged to facilitate the understanding of the general principles of the invention by a simple operative construction; however in practice the actuating means and the co-acting parts will be constructed and arranged in more compact relation and with a view to convenience, adaptability and general appearance of the particular car to which the mechanism is applied.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 5, a foot lever 16 is'fulcrumed at 17 and is connected by a link 18 with the member 19 of a bell-crank lever fulcrumed at 20. The

member 21 of the bell-cran-k lever is connected with the pitman 22, the said pitman *being pivotally connected with the gear 12 at 23. It will be seen that a movement of the lever 16 in direction of arrow at Fig. 5

M will force the lower member of said lever in the direction of arrow 6 resulting in a partial revolution of the gear 12 through the medium of the pitmanv 22, bell-crank lever, and link 18. The movement of the lever 16 is such as to give a predetermined desired arc of movement-to the gear 12, in this instance assume that the arc is 99 in direction of arrow 0 Fig. 1, the several co-acting elements will then be carried to the position shown by broken lines in Fig. 1, resulting in a revolution of the gear 13, as hereinbefore described. When pressure on the lever 16 is relieved the elements are returned to their normal. position by the spring 35, the shoulder 36 coming in contact with the frame 1 and governing the throw of the gear 12, I

VVhenLthe mechamsm 1s 1n its normal p0- sition, or at rest, the gear 13 is in mesh with 24, in bearings 26 and 27. A forked 28 is pivotally connected with the shaft 14 and is fulcrumed at 29. A foot lever 30 Fig. 5, is fulcrumed at 31, the member 32 of lever said lever being connected with the member 33 of the forked lever 28 by a link 3%. It

will be seen that movement of lever 30 in gear 6 in mesh with the gear 13, by a latch member 37 engaging a lug 38 and under tension of a spring 39. A rod l0 is pivotally attached to the arm 3 at -11 and extends through an opening in the U shaped bracket 42, the spring 39 being confined under compression between the head member 13 and the bracket 42. The latch member 37 is slidable in the frame member 11, and has a pawl. 45 pivotally connected therewith, said pawl being held in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 5 by a spring 16. During the cranking operation the gear 6 revolves in direction of arrow 0 and the pawl 15 will ride the teeth of the ratchet 5, but at the instant of back-fire the engagement of the teeth of the ratchet with the pawl 15 will disengage the latch member 37 from the lug 38, and the action of the spring 39 will throw the gear 6 out of mesh with the gear 13 as shown in Fig. 6. The shoulder -17 regulates the throw of the arm 3. Means are provided for returning the mechanism to the normal position. As shown in this embodiment of the invention, a chain or cable 48 is attached to the free end of the arm 3 and passes over pulleys 4:9 and 50 to a convenient point for manipulation. By means of this chain the member 3 may be pulled down until the latch 37 engages the lug 38.

The ratio of relative operation of the coacting parts as herein described is not arbitrary, but may be varied to give greater or less movement if desired.

An important feature of the present invention that enhances its efliciency is its over readiness for operation. In case the spark fails 011 one operation the mechanism automatically returns to its normal position in readiness for a repetition. Another important feature is the sensitiveness of the mechanism to back-fire of the engine.

What I claim and 'desire to have secured to me by Letters Patent is- 1. In a gas engine starter, in combination with the crank-shaft actuating gear; an idler gear adapted to be shifted into and out of meshwith said crank-shaft actuating gear; a gear mounted in a hinged arm in mesh with the idler gear; a ratchet wheel connected with the last named gear; a pawl for actuating said ratchet and gear; means for shifting the idler gear into mesh with the crank-shaft actuating gear; and means for operating the pawl, thereby imparting motion to the three gears.

21h a starter for gas engines, in combination with the crank-shaft actuating gear; an idler gear adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with said crankshaft actuating gear; a hinged member providing a support for a shaft; a stub shaft having its bearing in said support; a ratchet wheel and a gear attached to said shaft, said gear being in mesh with the idler gear; a lever mounted on the shaft; a pawl vcarried by said lever, said pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel; means for shifting the idler gear into mesh with the crank-shaft actuating gear; and means for actuating the lever, thereby driving the three gears.

3. In a gas engine starter, in combination with the crank-shaft actuating gear; an idler gear adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with said crank-shaft actuating gear; a hinged member providing a support for a shaft; a stub shaft having its bearing in said support; a ratchet wheel and a gear attached to said shaft, said gear being in mesh with the idler gear; a lever mounted on the shaft; a pawl carried by said lever, said pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel; means for shifting the idler gear into mesh with the crank-shaft actuating gear; a crank mounted in suitable bearings; a link member connecting the free end of the pawl carrying lever with said crank; and means for actuating said crank and through its connections driving the gears.

4. In a gas engine starter, in combination with the crank shaft actuating gear; an idler gear adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with said crank-shaft actuating gear; a hinged member providing a support fora shaft; a stub shaft having its bearing in said support; a ratchet wheel and a gear attached to said shaft, said gear being in mesh with the idler gear; a lever mounted on the shaft; a pawl carried by said lever, said pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel; means for shifting the idler gear into mesh with the crank-shaft actuating gear; a crank mounted in suitable bearings; a link member connecting the free end of the pawl carrying lever with said crank; a pinion connected with said crank; a gear in mesh with said pinion; and means for actuating the last named gear.

5. In a gas engine starter, in combination with the crank-shaft actuating gear; an idler gear adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with said crank-shaft actuating gear; a hinged member providing a support for a shaft: a stub shaft having its bearing in said support; a ratchet wheel and a gear attached to said shaft, said gear being in mesh with the idler gear; a lever mounted on the shaft;

nected with said crank; a gear in mesh with said pinion; a pitman rod connected with said gear; and means for operating said pitman rod for imparting a partial revolution to the gears.

6. In a gas engine starter, in combination with the crankshaft actuating gear; an idler gear adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with said crank-shaft actuating gear; a hinged member providing a support for a shaft; a stub shaft having its bearing in said support; a ratchet wheel and a gear attached to said shaft, said gear being in mesh with the idler gear; a lever mounted on the shaft; a pawl carried by said lever, said pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel; means for shifting the idler gear into mesh with the crank-shaft actuating gear; a crank mounted in suitable bearings; a link member connecting the free end of the pawl carrying lever with said crank; a pinion connected with said crank; a gear in mesh with said pinion; a pitman rod connected with said gear; a bell-crank lever connected with said pitma-n rod; an operating lever; and a link member connecting said operating lever with the bell-crank lever.

7. In a gas engine starter, in combination with the crank-shaft actuating gear; an idler gear adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with said crank-shaft gear; means for shifting said idler gear into and out of mesh with the crank-shaft gear; a frame or housing member; an arm hinged to said frame, said arm providing a bearing for a shaft; a stub shaft mounted in said arm; a ratchet wheel and a gear attached to said shaft, said gear being normally in mesh with the idler gear; a lever mounted on the shaft; a pawl carried by said lever, said pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel; means for actuating said. lever to drive the gears through the medium of the pawl and ratchet; a movable latch member engaging the hinged arm for retaining the gears normally in operative mesh; a pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel and connected with said latch member for disengagement of same from the hinged arm in case of backfire of the engine; and means for swinging the arm on its hinge when disengaged from the latch, thereby throwing the gears out of mesh.

8. In a gas engine starter the combination of the engine crank-shaft actuating gear; an idler gear normally out of mesh with the engine crank-shaft actuating gear but adapted to mesh therewith; a supporting frame;

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.an arm hingedto said frame; a gear mount- "member engaging the hinged arm for retaining same in position for the meshing of the gears; a pawl connected With said latch member, said pawl engaging'the teeth of the driving ratchet whereby the latch member is disengaged from the hinged arm by back-fire of the engine; and means for automatically throwing the gears'out of mesh when the latch member is disengaged from the arm.

9. In 'a gas engine starter the combination of the engine crank-shaftactuating gear; an idler gear normally out of mesh with the engine crank-shaft actuating gear but adapted to mesh therewith; a supportingframe; an arm hinged to said frame; a gear mounted on said arm normally in mesh with the idler gear; pawl and ratchet mechanism for driving the gears; means for shifting the idler gear into and out of mesh with the engine crankshaft actuating gear; means for operating the pawl and ratchet; a latch member engaging the hinged arm for retainin same nor-mall in )osition for meshing of the gears; a pawl connected with said latch member, said pawl engaging the teeth of the driving ratchet whereby the latch member is disengaged from the hinged arm by back-fire of the engine; means for automatically throwing the gears out of mesh when the latch member is disengaged from the arm; and means for returning the arm to the normal position in engagement with the latch member.

CLArRENCiS (l. WEDGE. w. itnesses O. C. BILLMAN H. C. BA'rTLEs,

Copies of this patentmay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

; Washington, D. G. 

